While the nationwide transporters' strike entered its second day on Tuesday, it was business as usual at the Vashi wholesale market as fruits, vegetables and grains were unloaded from trucks.
"Around 600 vegetable-laden trucks arrived on time at the APMC. As mathadi transporters, who supply vegetables and fruits from across Maharashtra, did not join the strike, prices of kitchen staples remained unchanged," said Balasaheb Badade, a vegetable wholesaler.
But Sanjay Pansare, a fruit trader, said, "There were fewer buyers in the wholesale market, fearing stone-pelting and violence." Traders are, however, apprehensive that there could a slight shortfall in the supply of potato and garlic on Wednesday.
"As these items come from outside Maharashtra, the two day strike is likely to affect their supply to the wholesale market," said Ashok Valunj, former APMC director and potato & onion trader. Bal Malkit Singh of All India Motor Transport Congress said the movement of trucks was affected in districts across Maharashtra.
"Nearly 12 lakh trucks came to a standstill in the state during the two-day agitation, which culminated in a meeting with the transport ministry in New Delhi," he added. Over 500 transporters took out a rally in Navi Mumbai from Vashi truck terminal to APMC grain and fruit market, and then from Turbhe MIDC to Kalamboli steel market and finally the JNPT area. "If our demands are not met, we may have similar protests post-Diwali," Singh threatened.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
